ived with gh

athing was thunder. The storm clouds rolled away like curtains, revealing a sky strewn wi

osite her. The fire had reduced to fiery coals. Shadows gently capered upo

mo

ng shif

up, miss

tant thunder. Then the wolf groaned. His enormous form tensed, claws

right," she whispered, not knowing

g through the ice-etched windowpanes like a sword. It stream

p, then a cry-not an a

wing into skin that shone with a memory of soft moonlight. His snout reshaped, jaw distorting into the conto

h covered b

ssing something s

ight died, the cre

no longer

waves across his forehead, tousled from the change. His skin was deathly pale, the same blue-g

is fa

break etched

r labored breathing. His brow furrowed in agony, though even in

swall

s not p

-his eye

Just lik

ul of a monster, but a man's-hurt

ned, bringing up a tremb

w. When he spoke, his voice was rough

ou

h caught. "Y

e edge of his mouth. "Onl

g to quell the storm in

ulders. He didn't seem bothered by his nakedness, but Lyra flushed and l

ound rich with a

"For that. And... for not

said softly, then ad

. I suppose I've grown used

step further.

A man cursed to bear the flesh of a be

the wound still glowed faintly with salve and faint ma

darkened. "What

both for warmth and

d. Then:

ed it soft

ge and beautifu

her with a piercing interest. "You'

od. I only use it for curing." She narrowed her eyes. "That doe

ned, this time

and the moonlight stroked the creases of his hair like a lover

athed finally. "Why now? Why

eavy with something

ns... when I'm with the

faltered. "Yo

silvery and flickering like candles. "But

ith unspoken. Destiny. Magic. Hunger. An

le closer, unable

find out," s